Snakes in the city
The hatching season for snakes starts in June and lasts up to August-September, informed a rescuer; Eggs are usually laid in vacant plots and drains
By Melvin Mathew
Baby snake sightings increase with rains;rescuers talk safety measures
Owing to seasonal changes, Bengaluru has been seeing a rise inbaby snakes entering homes. Snake rescuers in the city are experiencing a sudden spike in rescue calls. City-based snake rescuers say that there has been an increase in snake rescues ever since the skies started pouring. They say that it can also be associated with the season for the hatching of snake eggs .
“We have been receiving calls every day. Previously, we used to get a maximum of 10-15 calls in a week, but now, it has doubled. They are mostly baby snakes. Yesterday, we received a call near the Chief Minister’s residence, but when we reached there, it disappeared.
Russell vipers, large rat snakes, and cobras. Additionally, with the rain, there are a lot of water snakes in waterlogged areas,” said a snake rescuer.
The hatching season starts in June and lasts up to August-September, he said. It begins with cobras, followed by rat snakes, and gradually includes other snakes. Eggs are usually laid in vacant plots and drains. However, snakes won’t lay eggs inside houses as they need warmth for hatching.
As Bengaluru develops and vacant plots disappear, snakes are entering houses. Snakes can be found in idle places of the house like car garages, inside vehicles, and kitchen areas.
“Yesterday, we discovered a snake hiding inside the wheel of an auto,” he added.
Rescuers said that they are receiving many calls from Banaswadi, Yelahanka, Marathahalli, Whitefield, and Vidyaranyapura. Calls are coming from areas with big stormwater drains.
“When you park your vehicle outside, the snake might slither into the same and reach your basent,” he explained.
Cobras prowlCubbon Park
Snake rescuers are finding large cobras in Cubbon Park and are cautioning people sitting there about the dangers. They also receive many calls fromVikas Soudha and the High Court basement.
Most snakes are not venomous. However, one must remember that cobras are – even if it is a baby.
In case one encounters a snake, they should move back 10 feet away from it and call 100 or the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) control room/forest department. Rescuers advise the public not to attempt rescues on their own as there has been an increasing trend of people trying to do so by watching online videos.
Snake rescue fraud
Rescuers also caution the public against fraudulent local rescuers who deceive people. “People should call government-authorised rescuers and not rely on local unauthorised ones. They try to rescue snakes and end up getting bitten in the process themselves, and then demand Rs 40,000-60,000 for treatment. They also claim to be from BBMP, and the blame goes to the agency in case of mishaps,” said a BBMP official.
Baby snake sightings increase with rains;
Owing to seasonal changes, Bengaluru has been seeing a rise in
“We have been receiving calls every day. Previously, we used to get a maximum of 10-15 calls in a week, but now, it has doubled. They are mostly baby snakes. Yesterday, we received a call near the Chief Minister’s residence, but when we reached there, it disappeared.
They hide inside doors and small crevices. We are encountering baby cobras,
The hatching season starts in June and lasts up to August-September, he said. It begins with cobras, followed by rat snakes, and gradually includes other snakes. Eggs are usually laid in vacant plots and drains. However, snakes won’t lay eggs inside houses as they need warmth for hatching.
As Bengaluru develops and vacant plots disappear, snakes are entering houses. Snakes can be found in idle places of the house like car garages, inside vehicles, and kitchen areas.
“Yesterday, we discovered a snake hiding inside the wheel of an auto,” he added.
Rescuers said that they are receiving many calls from Banaswadi, Yelahanka, Marathahalli, Whitefield, and Vidyaranyapura. Calls are coming from areas with big stormwater drains.
“When you park your vehicle outside, the snake might slither into the same and reach your basent,” he explained.
Cobras prowl
Snake rescuers are finding large cobras in Cubbon Park and are cautioning people sitting there about the dangers. They also receive many calls from
Most snakes are not venomous. However, one must remember that cobras are – even if it is a baby.
In case one encounters a snake, they should move back 10 feet away from it and call 100 or the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) control room/forest department. Rescuers advise the public not to attempt rescues on their own as there has been an increasing trend of people trying to do so by watching online videos.
Snake rescue fraud
Rescuers also caution the public against fraudulent local rescuers who deceive people. “People should call government-authorised rescuers and not rely on local unauthorised ones. They try to rescue snakes and end up getting bitten in the process themselves, and then demand Rs 40,000-60,000 for treatment. They also claim to be from BBMP, and the blame goes to the agency in case of mishaps,” said a BBMP official.
